Rebel Music, Communal Dancing, and the Class Politics of Movement

Born in Beijing and based in Berlin, Leo Zhao (AKA Dj Zhao) is a writer, revolutionary, rhythm ambassador, and musicologist, bringing a poly-cultural understanding of sound to his deeply percussive cross-genre sets. Leo joins Brett to discuss music theory and history from a radical leftist and materialist perspective. Topics include: His families history living under Mao, Laws against social dancing throughout history, music and dance stratification in class societies, the roots of American music, Slavery, Africa's influence on music, the evolutionary and sociological underpinnings of social dance and beat-driven music, Hip Hop, New Orleans culture and history, Trap music, cultural appropriation vs. cultural exchange, the connections between oppression and music, the body and sexuality, and much more!

Dj Zhao's soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djzhao

Dj Zhao's Website: https://ngomasound.com/

Follow DJ Zhao on FB: https://www.facebook.com/zhao.ngoma/

The DJ mix of lefist music we discussed in the episode can be found here: https://www.mixcloud.com/djzhao/dance-dance-revolution/

For people who might want to read more on these and related topics: https://medium.com/@leohezhao

Music on the show in order of appearance:

https://akwaabamusic.bandcamp.com/track/baro

Guem & Zaka - Gia from the album Giants of Percussion

DJ Dikota - Pitori Streets

konono nº1 - Paridiso http://www.konono.net

Les Tambours de Brazza - Brazza https://www.facebook.com/JEBiayenda/

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Intro Music by The String-Bo String Duo. You can listen and support their music here: https://tsbsd.bandcamp.com/track/red-black

This podcast is officially affiliated with The Nebraska Left Coalition, the Nebraska IWW, and the Omaha GDC. Check out Nebraska IWW's new website here: https://www.nebraskaiww.org